A partnership between Dover Athletic FC and The Abbey School

1
The Football Academy

• A partnership between Dover Athletic FC and The
  Abbey School

2
Mission Statement

• To provide elite football coaching of a
  professional standard to young players with
  ambition of progressing in the game with Dover
  Athletic, or other senior clubs, along with a
  structured academic / vocational educational
  programme that meets their learning needs

3
What is a Football Academy?

• A programme of study accompanied with
  professional football development and coaching
• Aimed at Year 12/ 13/ 14
• Structured games programme in Football Conference
  Youth League
• Football coaching to a high standard
• A choice of academic and vocational subjects

4
Main Aims of the Academy

• To improve young players technical ability
• To improve young players tactical awareness
• To improve young players physical fitness
  specific to the sport
• To improve young players mental approach to
  their performance
• To promote an environment where football becomes
  the catalyst for successful academic learning
• To promote self discipline and good sportsmanship
  and standards

5
Main Objectives

• Devise a technical / tactical syllabus and
  deliver it
• Develop individual personal fitness / training
  plans for each player
• Develop individual psychological profiles and
  develop techniques to improve mental approach to
  performance
• Provide 1 to 1 player reviews regularly with
  coach using specific log books designed by the
  Academy
• Provide competitive opportunities school / club
  link
• Provide a tailored education provision that meets
  the academic needs of the individual
• Provide the educational support and guidance
  required to achieve on academic courses
• Provide FA 1st 4 sport coaching football
  qualifications at levels 1 and 2

6
What can the players / students do?

• A variety of different courses that fit with
  their football training program
• 12 / 15 lessons per week study time
• Football coaching
• Minimum 6 hours coaching and development, plus 1
  game (Wednesday afternoons), representing Dover
  Athletic in the Football Conference Youth league.
  Coaching Provided by UEFA A Licence coaches,
  including Andy Hessenthaler, the Manager of the
  Club
• FA Level 2 coaching football (year 2) 90 GLH
• Recognised as an international qualification
• The Abbey School to become an accredited centre
  for the delivery of FA qualifications

7
Application Procedures

• Open to any elite footballers from Year 11 or 12
  in Kent in year 1.
• Stringent entry requirements on ability and
  character
• Students to apply using the Abbey School 6th form
  application forms
• Entry will be accepted upon successful trial,
  subsequent interview and references.

8
Trial Dates

• Important Date!!!! The initial Academy Trials
  will be held at The Abbey school on the 05th May
  (Tuesday), and 06th May (Wednesday) starting at
  5.30pm.
• If successful, final trials will be held the
  following Tuesday 12th May.
• To book your place on the trial, application
  forms need to be completed and returned to the
  Head Teacher, Mrs Catrin Woodend.
• Contact will be made by phone or letter
  confirming your place on the trial.
• Alternative trial dates will be arranged if the
  need arises

9
After the trials

• Players will be contacted by letter to either
• Invite them to attend a formal interview at the
  school, each player will be given a time slot.
• Or thank them for their attendance to the trials.
  It will be impossible to give every interested
  player a place as you can appreciate
• After the interview, students will be written to
  again offering them a place in the Academy, or
  placing them on a waiting list.

10
Academic choices
Sixth Form Proposed Blocking 2009-2010
Double option Level 3 students 5 GCSEs
grade C or above. Any three subjects from
DIFFERENT option blocks. Subjects with (D)
indicate double award Level 2 students less
than 5 grade Cs Any two options from DIFFERENT
OTION BLOCKS. Please note, the OPTION E block has
been kept for the Academy, no subjects are
available from this block
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Weekly programme

• The Academy training sessions have been blocked
  out to ensure that the School could offer the
  best choice of courses available.
• At least two sessions per week will be together
  as a group, and one split, enabling smaller
  functional group work, and conditioning
• All students will be available on Wednesdays to
  be available for the Games program
• Andy Hessenthaler and Darren Hare to manage the
  delivery of coaching sessions

12
Games Programme

• Competitive fixture program of around 20-24 games
  per season, with a 16 player squad
• Selection will be based on a rota system
• Students will have the opportunity for a game on
  a Sunday for Dover Athletic, if they do not play
  for the Academy on a Wednesday
• Students may also sign for their current /
  existing club to play on Sundays if they so wish.
• Games will be played at Dover Athletic FC Perrys
  Stadium

13
Kit

• A Training kit pack will consist of the
  following
• Shorts / socks x2
• Training shirt x2
• Sweatshirt x1
• Rain Jacket x1
• ¾ length bottoms x2
• Match Polo shirt and tracksuit x1
• All kit will be individually numbered according
  to your Academy squad number, and be branded with
  DAFC and School logo
• Kit Packs will cost 150.00 through the school,
  payment plans available
• Boots. There will be discounted boot purchases
  through a top boot retailer. More details to
  follow

14
Academy Discipline expectations

• Excellent punctuality to all training sessions
  and Lessons
• Appropriate school dress for non Football related
  academic lessons
• Excellent attitude and application both on and
  off the field
• Both the school and the Club will demand that you
  maintain high standards when representing the
  Academy in fixtures in terms of your discipline.
  Any fines accrued for bookings / dismissals etc
  will be the responsibility of the player. In
  addition, failure to meet academic targets, and
  poor discipline issues could result in you
  forfeiting a training session or match

15
Progression routes

• Higher Education (HE), University, Colleges
• Playing Contracts, either with Dover Athletic FC
  or other clubs in the county
• Employment in the leisure industry
• Employment in the growing football coaching
  industry either here or abroad
• Access to HE in the United States via their
  collegiate soccer scholarship program, trials
  will be available for Academy players after two
  years

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What can you expect from the Academy?

• From the school.
• Excellent pastoral care and advice
• Fantastic achievement in the 6th Form
• Thriving BTEC National Certificate in sport
  program, with 100 achievement last year, with
  five students progressing to sports science
  degrees
• Excellent Careers and Guidance program
• From the club
• Excellent Football education, games program
• Kents emerging Football club just winning
  promotion to the Conference league, providing a
  fantastic level of football to aspire to
• A very professional football club infrastructure
  with a fabulous fan base
• A pro-active Management team who want to promote
  from within